Cold exposure hacks

Even before I read 4 Hour Body, I was intrigued by the idea of using thermodynamics to hack the body--losing weight, increasing immunity, improving circulation. Unfortunately, cold showers and ice baths are still like the ninth circle of Hell to me, though I try to do cold water soaking at the jjimjilbang.

But with a rare snow here in Atlanta, I just tried my first "shiver walk" by wearing warm clothes and snow boots, gloves, an ear-covering hat, and a tank top for the second half of an hour-long walk. Got some stares, but I feel AMAZING.

Does anybody else have any innovative ways to use heat to our advantage?

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Answers

I try to finish all my showers with the coldest water possible for at least a minute. If I'm feeling brave, I'll take my entire shower with the coldest water possible. I feel amazing after, but I'm not gonna lie, getting myself to turn that cold handle all the way is like staring down the barrell of a gun. I'm ALWAYS glad I did it afterwards though.

Just got the Ferris book in the mail yesterday. You just inspired me to read up :)

I think the phenomenon of cold showers is an odd one. Follow me for a second here....

If you do not intentionally take cold showers, when are the only times you are going to take any? It's when you have to, yes? So at times like... camping (motorhome or old run down public shower)... on a boat out at sea or something... on vacation visiting relatives that don't have a hot shower (I went to the Dominican Republic and had to take cold showers there every day). burrrh.

Usually these scenarios are camping/vacationish type setups. You are already psychologically 'free' and more fun spirited as far as responsibilties go. I think that feeling has something to do with it. I think 'feeling better' after a cold shower is probably mostly in your mind.

I actually prefer taking cold-showers, I have noticed it makes me feel and look better. I stumbled upon cold showers when I was visiting an under-developed country and just kept getting sick repeatedly, I had never gotten so sick in my life. When I couldn't find any probiotics, I figured I had to try another alternative and gave cold showers a try. Without a doubt, it spared me from continual sickness. And it's really not that bad, after the first one-two minutes, the water feels normal. I have been taking a cold shower everyday for about a month now and I am always looking forward to it. (You might need to do a little "1, 2, 3 GO!" count in the first week haha)

I also believe it has improved my blood circulation because before taking cold showers my hands used to feel like they'd freeze off during a cold night (only my hands, didn't matter if I put them in my pockets or not). Not anymore, now my hands feel as warm or as cold as the rest of my body.

As far as cold baths go, after spending about 10-15 minutes with some ice cubes floating around, I just want to knock out and go to sleep. The best sleep I get is right after a nice, restorative, cold bath!

There is nothing better than a blog full of speculation. Tim Ferriss has a lot of good things in his book, but he totally screwed the pooch when he started writing about cold exposure. If he had done a little more research, he would have discovered Wim Hoff (aka, The Iceman). This man can hold his breath underwater for 6 minute in 32 degree water. He holds a number of world records and has a resting heart rate of 40bpm. He has taught hundreds of people his techniques and many have already come close to his achievements. Read his book "Becoming the Iceman", and stop speculating. There is science out there.